Medicine gone wild

Herbal-remedy, edible-plant knowledge passed down through generations

photos by L. Woodrow Ross/Special to Independent Mail
Cord made from wisteria vine, left, and yucca.

The dandelion root is edible and can be ground to simulate coffee.

Cattail tubers are edible.

Many years ago, there were few commercially produced drugs. Our ancestors had to draw from their acquired knowledge of native plants that provided relief from pain and afflictions. Likewise, they had an understanding of which wild plants were edible.